Hope

This book follows the story of Hope Kalahan, the last of the mail-order-bride Kalahan sisters to meet her husband. It is truly a fun and suspensful adventure (if a little on the predictable side). The story starts with Hope, daughter of a deceased minister, listening to a senators daughter spouting memorized scripture on a stagecoach. (It is here where you learn of Hope deficiencies in remembering her fathers bible lessons!). Miss Ferry and her companion leave the stage early due to illness and Hope continues to meet her betrothed. Enter Dan, aka Grunt, government agent and infiltrator of the Davidson gang, wanted for robbing stages carrying army payroll. (Might I add that he is, as every romantic hero should be, handsome as can be?). Well, if the gang leader didn't have plans to kidnap Miss Ferry for the senators ransom money!! Mistaken for the senators daughter Hope is kidnapped and delayed from her betrothed for 2 months!! What happens during those 2 months? You should read and find out. It is a perfect romantic/comedy/adventure book!!! Full of all kinds of unbelievable events that are sure to leave the betrothed mans mind in a spin. It is fun watching Hope evolve from a self centered girl into a compassionate woman. It is wonderful watching Dan observe these changes all the while respecting her promise to her future husband.

Hope, the last in Lori Copeland's Brides of the West trilogy, was worth waiting for - after frantically searching various bookstores I finally found it online. (If you haven't read Faith and Love, you should...you won't be disappointed!) An old-fashioned, inspirational/historical romance, Hope is comical, whimsical, intriguing and romantic - a great combination that reminds us all that there is always hope, always a chance that we can find that special man of our dreams. Like her sisters Faith and June, Hope has determined that the best future for her lies in being a mail order bride. On the road to marry her intended, she is kidnapped by a notorious gang that unknowingly mistakes her for a senator's daughter. Through the drama that ensues, she is protected by Dan, an undercover agent who had infiltrated the gang to bring them to justice. Hope is drawn by this gentleman "gangster" -- a Christian well-versed in Scripture who inspires Hope to work on her memorization and application skills. Hope does so admirably, albeit her struggle to improve her faulty memory provides a hilarious backdrop to her spunky dealings with the gang and the various roadblocks she encounters in trying to connect with her groom-to-be. Theirs is a hilarious and beautiful story of a forbidden love (they both are determined that Hope honor her commitment to be a mail order bride) that conquers all obstacles. The more we read, the more we see Hope blossom from a young, flighty and fearful girl, to a woman of noble character whose trusts in God is unshakeable. Perhaps the most touching aspect of this book is Hope's ability to triumph over her own insecurities to 1) improve her memory, 2)lead one of the gang members to a faith in Christ, and 3) marry the man she truly loves. My only gripe - that there was no family reunion among the sisters...but, there's always hope (hopefully Lori Copeland will pen this sequal soon!).

Hope encounters many misfortunate turns on her way west to marry her fiancee, John. As she begins her journey the stage coach is robbed and Hope is kidnapped. This is only the begining of her adventures. Through all her tests and trials she learns to put her trust in God. She allows Him to work in her and through her as she encounters the different characters. As she faces each new problem she is falling in love with her captor, Dan. She fights these feelings throughout this book keeping her focus on the man waiting for her at the end of this journey. God honors Hope and gives the desire of her heart. Hope is a character that grows in her faith and leaves her girlhood behind and becomes a godly woman never even realizing the changes that are happening to her. There are 2 sequels to this book: Faith and June. They are great also.

This book is absolutely wonderful. It has a mixture of adventure, love and the exploring of a young girls faith. When you've been raised around the church all your life, sometimes, once your out on your own you find that your own personal faith leaves something to be desired. Hope's journey on finding the personal relationship with Jesus Christ that she knew it should be was filled with humor and trying times.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read Faith, and I must admit I like this book much better! But Faith was very good also! I recommend this book to anyone, and everyone!